State Farm: Cook safely, avoid fire this Thanksgiving

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association. One out of three home fires begins in the kitchen — more than any other place in the home. The No. 1 cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. NFPA data shows that Thanksgiving Day is the peak day for home cooking fires.

In 2017, State Farm paid more than $130 million for nearly 2,700 cooking/grease fire homeowners’ insurance claims. The Top 10 states for cooking/grease fire losses in 2017 are: Georgia, Alabama, New York, Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Texas and North Carolina. At No. 10, North Carolina saw 138 claims in 2017 with over $5.7 million in paid losses.

State Farm wants local families to be careful and enjoy Thanksgiving Day. Here are some cooking safety tips:

• Keep a lid beside the pan when cooking. If a fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Never throw water on a kitchen fire.